Implant-based attachment system for dental implant surgical guide and method

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to methods for attaching a dental implant surgical guide and a dental implant to a dental surgical site including: assembling an implant combination, positioning the dental implant surgical guide including a double open-ended guide cylinder at the dental surgical site; rotating the implant combination through the double open-ended guide channel; and attaching a cap comprising a hollow cylinder to the double open-ended guide channel so the rim of the implant mount body is sandwiched between the dental surgical guide and the cap. The disclosure further relates to a dental prosthesis apparatus including: an abutment; a dental implant; a dental implant surgical guide including a first and a second double open-ended guide cylinder connected by a support bar; an implant mount including a rim; and a cap operable to engage the dental implant surgical guide and sandwich the rim between the cap and the dental implant surgical guide.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of Applicant's Parentapplication Ser. No. 14/487,075 filed in the U.S. Patent & TrademarkOffice on Sep. 15, 2014, which claims benefits and priority to U.S.Provisional Application 61/877,648, filed on Sep. 13, 2013.

BACKGROUND

The present invention may relate to the implant attachment systems forattaching dental implant surgical guides to dental implants. Morespecifically, the present invention may relate to those implantattachment means that are used on dental implant surgical guides thatmay be subsequently incorporated into dental prostheses.

Dental implant surgical guides may be used for the placement of implantdrills, implant reamers, dental implants, and other dental implements ata dental implant site in a mouth of a patient to help ensure that suchplaced dental implements achieve the proper and desired telemetry andlocation. Similarly, dental implant surgical guides can be used inpractice on a model of a patient's mouth to test the placement andpositioning of dental implements. Normally after the implants (e.g.,post-type implants) have been placed in the mouth through the use of thedental implant surgical guide, the dental implant surgical guide couldbe removed from the mouth and generally be discarded. In some dentalimplant/prosthesis surgeries, a connecting bar may be further attachedto the dental implants to substantially form a bar/implant configurationfor the dental prosthesis attachment. After suitable testing andfitting, a prosthesis may then be attached to the dental implants and/orconnecting bar/implant configuration to secure the dental prosthesis inthe patient's mouth.

It has been found that the dental implant surgical guide could be usedto replace the connecting bar to save on costs and labor in the implantprocess. The dental implant surgical guide can be further incorporatedinto the dental prosthesis by attaching the dental implant surgicalguide within an open channel in the bottom of the dental prosthesis orby generally being enclosed within the dental prosthesis interior formedby two halves of a prosthesis. Rather than discarding the dental implantsurgical guide, the dental implant surgical guide can be added to thedental prosthesis structure to generally increase the structuralintegrity and load-carrying capacity of the dental prosthesis.

One possible issue with the incorporation of the dental implant surgicalguide into the dental prosthesis could be the attachment of the dentalimplant surgical guides to the placed dental implants. Generally tocontrol the telemetry and position of the implants, dental implantsurgical guides may have guide cylinders forming double open-ended guidechannels through which the dental implants may pass to be located to therespective dental surgical site (or dental surgical site model). Assuch, dental implant surgical guides when located over the dentalimplants may have an open area, the guide channel, that is directlylocated over the placed implant thereby generally eliminating anymaterial (e.g., metal) that may rest upon and be subsequently used toattach the dental implant surgical guide to the implant.

One possible solution to this issue could the present invention'sattachment system of an abutment, an implant mounting and a cap. Theabutment and implant mounting being combined with an otherwise unsecuredimplant outside of the dental implant surgical guide (e.g., outside ofthe patient's mouth) to form an implant combination wherein the implant,implant abutment, and most of the implant mount are able to pass thoughthe guide channel. The implant mount at its otherwise unattached endcould have a rim with a greater diameter/circumference than that of theguide channel so that the rim cannot pass through the guide channel. Inthis implant combination, the implant mount may be attached to oneabutment end of the abutment, the abutment may be attached by its otherabutment end to the implant to create a generally an overall columnarform. The assembled implant combination can then be inserted into therespective guide channel of the surgical guide. The implant mount can beengaged by a tool (e.g., wrench) so the entire combination can be movedwithin the guide channel to substantially allow threads of the implantto substantially engage the prepared implant shaft at the dental implantsite. As the implant combination is generally secured to the dentalsurgical site (or model thereof), the rim may be drawn into contact withthe top of guide cylinder. In this manner, the rim overall anchors thedental implant surgical guide to the implant in a manner that resiststhose outward forces that may pull the dental implant surgical guide wayfrom the dental implant.

The cap could be subsequently attached to the top of the guide cylinderto sandwich the rim between the guide cylinder and cap to substantiallyresist those forces which may direct the dental implant surgical guidetowards the implant. This cap attachment action may also move the dentalimplant surgical guide up tight against the rim in a manner to furtherbring the dental implant surgical guide into a more complete alignmentwith the placed implants.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or MoreEmbodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to attach a dental implant surgical guide to one or moredental implants to resist pressure upon the dental implant surgicalguide that moves the dental implant surgical guide either towards oraway from the one or more of the dental implants;

provide a system that attaches the dental implant surgical guide to theone or more implants to allow the dental implant surgical guide tosupport a dental prosthesis;

the ability to secure the dental prosthesis to the dental implantsurgical guide as a way of attaching the dental prosthesis to the one ormore dental implants;

provide a securing system that attaches the dental implant surgicalguide to one or more implants in a manner that allows a dentalprosthesis to connect to the dental implant guide as way of anchoringthe dental prosthesis to a patient's mouth;

the ability to reuse a dental implant surgical guide to anchor an dentalprosthesis to a patients mouth or a model of a patient's mouth or alike;

provide outside a patient's mouth, an implant combination, an implantmount connected to an abutment secured to an implant, the implantcombination placed in the dental implant surgical guide and beingrotated to attach the surgical guide to the implant;

provide a fastener-to-fastener connection to secure the dental implantsurgical guide to the one or more dental implants;

the ability to place a cap over the implant mount to secure a rim of theimplant mount in between the cap and the dental implant surgical guidein a manner that locks in a final positioning of the dental implantsurgical guide to the one or more dental implants;

provide the cap that attaches to the dental implant surgical guide tobring the dental implant surgical guide into final and properpositioning relative to the one or more dental implants; and

the ability to attach the dental implant surgical guide to the one ormore implants to allow the dental implant surgical guide to beencompassed by a dental prosthesis.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One possible embodiment of the invention could include a system forattaching a dental implant surgical guide to one or more dental implantscomprising: an abutment capable of connecting to at least one of the oneor more dental implants and to an implant mount; the implant mounthaving an implant mount body with a first mount end that connectsaccepts a portion of the abutment and a second mount end that has a rimthat cannot pass through the dental implant surgical guide; and a capthat is comprised of a hollow cylinder with an enclosed cap end and anopen cap end, the cap being capable of engaging a dental implantsurgical guide so to sandwich the rim between the cap and the dentalimplant surgical guide.

Another possible embodiment of the invention could include a method ofattaching a dental implant surgical guide to one or more dental implantscomprising of the following steps, providing a dental implant that has afirst implant end capable of attaching to a dental implant site and asecond implant end capable of attaching to an abutment; providing adental implant surgical guide comprising a guide body that defines a setof spaced-apart guide cylinders, each guide cylinder being penetrated byrespective double open-ended guide channel; providing the abutmentcomprising an abutment body denoting a first abutment end that canattach to the implant and a second abutment end that can attach to animplant mount; providing the implant mount with a mount body forming afirst mount end that can accept a portion of the abutment and a secondmount end that has a rim that cannot pass through the guide channel;providing a cap that can attach to the dental surgical guide; forming animplant combination by attaching the abutment to the implant and byattaching the implant mount to the abutment; inserting the implantcombination through a guide channel to allow the implant to come intocontact with a dental surgical site; rotating the implant combinationthrough the dental surgical guide to secure the implant to either thedental surgical site or the model of the dental surgical site; andattaching the cap to the dental surgical guide to sandwich the rimbetween dental surgical guide and the cap.

Still yet another embodiment of the invention could be a combination ofa dental implant surgical guide connected to one or more dental implantscomprising the dental implant surgical guide having a body forming a setof spaced-apart guide cylinders, each guide cylinder denoting a doubleopen-ended guide channel through which the dental implant is passedthrough to attach to a dental surgical site; an implant combination thatis comprised of one dental implant of the one or more implants, the onedental implant attaches to an abutment, the abutment being attaches toan implant mount, the implant mount having one mount end that forms arim that can rest against the respective guide cylinder; a cap that fitsover the rim to attach to the respective guide cylinder; wherein theimplant combination is inserted into and rotated within the respectiveguide cylinder's guide channel to anchor the dental implant of theimplant combination to dental implant surgical guide.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of oneembodiment of the present invention so that the detailed descriptionthat follows may be better understood and contributions of the presentinvention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodimentsof the present invention may not include all of the features orcharacteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially perspective cutaway view of one version of adental implant surgical guide as used in the present invention as placedin a lower jaw of a patient's mouth.

FIG. 2 is substantially a perspective cutaway review of one version ofthe implant as used with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is substantially a perspective view of one version of the dentalprosthesis as used with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is substantially a cutaway elevation end view of the assembledsystem for the present invention.

FIG. 5 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one embodiment ofthe abutment for the present invention.

FIG. 6 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one embodiment ofthe implant mount for the present invention.

FIG. 7 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one embodiment ofthe cap for the present invention.

FIG. 8 is substantially a side elevation cutaway view of one embodimentof the implant combination for the present invention.

FIG. 9 is substantially an end elevation cutaway view of one embodimentof the implant combination for the present invention as the implantcombination is being rotated in the dental implant surgical guide.

FIG. 10 is substantially a side elevation cutaway view of one embodimentof the implant combination of the present invention with the dentalimplant surgical guide with cap applied.

FIG. 11 is substantially a side elevation cutaway view of one embodimentof the implant combination for the present invention anchoring thedental implant surgical guide with a prosthesis attached.

FIG. 12 is substantially a flowchart schematic showing one possibleembodiment of a process or a method for operating the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention 10 could comprise an attachment system 20 andmethod or process 200 for operating same to attach a dental implantsurgical guide to one or more dental implants located at a dentalsurgical site in a patient's mouth. The employment of the attachmentsystem could allow the dental implant surgical guide to anchor a dentalprosthesis to a patient's mouth.

As substantially shown in FIG. 1, a dental implant surgical guide 120may be used to place one or more dental implants 100 at dental surgicalsite 12 in an implant shaft 18 at patient's mouth 16 or place dentalimplant analogues (not shown) in a model of the dental surgical site(not shown). A dental implant surgical guide 120 could comprise a guidebody 122 that forms a set of spaced-apart guide cylinders 124. In onepossible version, the guide cylinders 124 could be held apart by supportbars 130 each having a trapezoidal cross-shape, the trapezoid's narrowflat being on the top of the support bar 130. The trapezoid cross-shapecould be conductive to mount the prosthesis 140 (as substantially shownin FIGS. 3 and 11) to the dental implant surgical guide 120. Each guidecylinder 124 further forming double open-ended guide channel 128 thatcan continuously connect the dental implant surgical guide's top andbottom. The guide channel 128 can be confirmed to specifically receivevarious dental implements (e.g., implant drills, implant reamers, dentalimplants 100 and the like) to allow the securing of the dental implants100 to a dental surgical site 12 of a patient's mouth 16 or to placedental implant analogues to dental surgical site models (not shown.) Foruse with the invention 10, the external side 134 of the guide cylinder124 could feature a suitable locking interface 132 (e.g., be threaded)to allow attachment of a cap 72 (as substantially shown in FIGS. 4, 7,10 and 11) to the guide cylinder top 126.

As substantially shown in FIG. 2, the dental implant 100 could be astandard post implant that may have a cylindrical implant body 102 withfirst tapered and threaded end 104 that that may be used to anchor thedental implant 100 to a bone at the dental surgical site 12. In someversions of the dental implant 100, the second implant end 106 have anopen-ended implant recess 108 to accept the first abutment end 34 in amanner to attach the abutment 30 to the dental implant 100 by a varietyof attachment devices (e.g., fastener, adhesive, and other securingmeans known in the art). (As substantially shown in FIG. 4). In onepossible embodiment, the implant recess 108 may have a tapered side 110(e.g., may be cone shaped) to substantially implement a Morse's taper ora taper interference fit as generally known in the art to attach a firstabutment end 34 to the implant recess 108. Further, the tip of theimplant recess 108 (e.g., tip of the cone) could generally define animplant aperture 112 suitably configured (e.g., threaded) to receive andattached to at least a portion of a first fastener 40. The firstfastener 40 in this manner could be initially be used to secure theabutment 30 and dental implant 100 together (as substantially shown inFIG. 4). It should be noted that an analogue implant (not shown) withgenerally the same attributes as the described dental implant 100 couldbe substituted for the implant 100 to allow the invention 10 to apply adental implant surgical guide to a dental surgical site model fortesting, fitting and modification of the dental implant surgical guide,the prosthesis, the invention 10 and the like as needed (not shown).

As substantially shown in FIG. 3, one possible version of the prosthesis140 could comprise of a prosthesis base 142 providing artificial gingivaor gum, the prosthesis base 142 further supporting one or moreartificial teeth 144. The underside 146 of the prosthesis base 142 couldfurther denote a channel 148 that could accept the dental implantsurgical guide 120. In other embodiments, not shown, the dentalprosthesis could be constructed into halves wherein the dental implantsurgical guide in placed between the halves which are then closedtogether to generally encapsulate the dental implant surgical guidewithin the dental prosthesis.

As shown in FIG. 4, the system 20 could comprise an abutment 30, animplant mount 50 and a cap 72, wherein the abutment 30 may be used tosecure the implant mount 50 to the implant 100 to form an implantcombination 90, the implant combination 90 being moved through a guidechannel 128 to place the implant 100 into the previously preparedimplant shaft at the dental surgical site. A fastener-to-fastenerconnection provided by first and second fasteners 40, 68 may initiallyhold the implant combination 90 together. The implant mount 50 may havea rim 62 that cannot pass through the guide channel 128 and may besubsequently be drawn against the dental implant surgical guide 120 (assubstantially shown in FIG. 11). The cap 72 substantially attaches to arespective guide cylinder 124 to securely seat the rim 62 against thedental implant surgical guide 120. This attachment action maysubstantially increase the contact of the rim 62 to the dental implantsurgical guide 120 thereby bringing the dental implant surgical guide120 up a desired final position relative to the one or more dentalimplants 100 placed at the dental surgical site 12.

As substantially shown in FIG. 5, the abutment 30 could have an abutmentbody 32 made of suitable material known in the art and the firstfastener 40 that may movably penetrate through the abutment body 32. Theabutment body 32 may have an overall exterior shape as would besubstantially selected by those known in the art that generally promotesa suitable and healthy implant interface with the gum tissue andemergent sulcus. The abutment body 32 could further define a first andsecond abutment ends 34, 36 through which the first fastener 40 couldpass. The first abutment end 34 could be tapered or conical-shaped to begenerally reciprocal to the contours of the implant recess 108 togenerally provide a taper interference fit (e.g., Morse's taper) betweenthe dental implant 100 and abutment 30 when the first abutment end 34 isplaced within the implant recess 108. The second abutment end 36 mayhave a contour that when received within the implant mount 50 couldprevent the abutment 30 from rotating about the implant mount 50. In onepossible embodiment, the second abutment end 36 may have a contourformed by a set of inclined flats 38 that may be seen to generally forman overall conical arrangement.

The first fastener 40 could be a threaded fastener and have a firstfastener head 42 being large enough so that the first fastener head 42does not pass through the abutment body 32. The first fastener 40 couldbe further capable of engaging the implant aperture 112 (e.g., threaded)of an implant recess 108 to initially secure the abutment 40 to thedental implant 100. In one possible embodiment, the first threadedfastener 40 could be generally held captive by the abutment body 32 forsafety and efficiency reasons. The first fastener 40 could further be abolt wherein the bolt's head is shaped with flats for removableengagement by a suitable wrench (not shown). The first fastener head 42could further feature an open-ended fastener recess 44 to which a secondfastener 68 could be attached and generally allowing for the attachmentof the implant mount 50 to the abutment 30 (as substantially shown inFIG. 4).

As substantially shown in FIG. 6, the implant mount 50 could comprise acylindrically-shaped mount body 52 and a second fastener 68 that movablepenetrates through the mount body 52. The mount body 52 could be made ofsuitable materials as known and selected by the art and generallyterminating in the first mount end 54 and a second mount end 58. Thefirst mount end 54 could feature an open-ended abutment cavity 56 thathas a contour 66 (e.g., inclined flats) that generally matches the formof the second abutment end 36. In this manner, when the second abutmentend 36 may be placed within the abutment cavity 56, the second abutmentend 36 may engage the abutment cavity 56 in a way that substantiallyprevents rotation of second abutment end 36 within the abutment cavity56 (as substantially shown in FIG. 4).

The second mount end 58 could have a mount depression 60 that couldaccommodate the second fastener head 70 so that second fastener head 70may not protrude above the second mount end 58 when the second fastener68 is connected to the first fastener 40. The mount depression 60 couldbe further suitably fashioned to removably accept a tool 14 that canrotate the assembled or completed implant configuration 90 relative tothe dental surgical guide 120, as well as implant shaft 18 (assubstantially shown in FIG. 9).

The second mount end 58 may have an outwardly projecting protrusion suchas a lip or rim 62 whose overall size is too large to allow the rim 62fit into or through the guide channel 128 but the remainder of the mountbody 52 is sized to pass though the guide channel 128. The rim 62 couldhave a rim circumference 64 that is generally greater than thecircumference of the guide channel 128 but not greater than thecircumference of the guide cylinder top 126 to provide sufficientimplant mount retention capability.

The second fastener 68 could be also threaded (e.g., be a threaded bolt)and have a second fastener head 70 being large enough so that the secondfastener head 70 does not pass through the mount body 52. The secondfastener 68 could be further capable of engaging the fastener recess 44so as to connect (e.g., removably) the second fastener 68 to the firstfastener 40. This fastener-to-fastener connection could allow theimplant mount 50 to be removably attached to the abutment 30 and furtherprovide for the unification of the implant mount 50, abutment 30 anddental implant 100 when assembled into the implant combination 90outside the patient's mouth. In this manner, the assembled implantcombination 90 can then be inserted into the guide channel 128 androtated as an single unit to drive and anchor the dental implant 100into a previously prepared dental surgical site 12 (e.g., implant shaft18) and to generally bring the rim 62 into contact with the guidecylinder 124 (as substantially shown in FIG. 4).

As substantially shown in FIG. 7, the cap 72 could be a hollow capcylinder 74 with one enclosed cap end 76 and one open cap end 78. Thecap cylinder wall's interior side 80 as proximate to the open cap end 78could be feature a suitable cap locking interface 82 such as cap threads86 to generally allow the cap 72 to be removably attached to the guidecylinder 124. As so attached, the cap 72 could generally cover both thesecond mount end 58 (e.g., rim 62) and the guide cylinder's top 126. Theattachment of the cap 72 to the dental implant 100 in such circumstancescould also be used to fully bring up the dental implant surgical guide120 into significant contact with the rim 62. This rim contact couldinsure that dental implant surgical guide 120 is brought into final anddesired telemetry and positioning as relates to the one or more placeddental implants 100. Further, the cap 72 and dental implant surgicalguide 120 when so combined may further substantially secure the implantcombination 90 to the dental implant surgical guide 120 to generallyprovide a resistance to those forces pushing the dental implant surgicalguide 120 (e.g., as attached to the dental prosthesis 140) toward theone or more located dental implants 100 placed at the dental surgicalsite 12 (as substantially shown in FIG. 4).

The cap 72 could further have a suitable cap fixture 84 (e.g. such as ahexagon-shaped tool aperture in the center of the enclosed end 76) thatcan accept a suitable tool (e.g., a wrench—not shown) that can be usedto attach (e.g., rotate) the cap 72 onto the dental implant surgicalguide 120. In some embodiments, the cap 72 may be removably attached tothe dental implant surgical guide 120.

As substantially shown in FIG. 8, the implant mount 50, the abutment 30and the implant 100 could be assembled together (e.g., away from thedental implant surgical guide 120, outside of the patient's mouth 12 orboth) to form the implant combination 90. The first fastener 40(generally penetrating the abutment 30) can attach to the implantaperture 112 to bring the abutment 30 and the implant 100 togetherallowing the first abutment end 34 to mate within the implant recess108. This tapered mating could bring into a force a taper interferenceconnection (e.g., Morse's taper) between the abutment 30 and the implant100. The second abutment end 36 can be brought into contact within theabutment cavity 56 of the implant mount 50 so that the flats 38 of thesecond abutment end 36 and the contour 66 (e.g., inclined flats) ofabutment cavity 56 are brought into contact and alignment with oneanother. The second fastener 68 may further facilitate this contact bysubstantially engaging the fastener recess 44 in a fastener-to-fastenerconnection. The second abutment end's inability to rotate within theabutment cavity 56 (e.g., use of reciprocal flats 38) allows a rotationof the implant mount 50 to transmit a torsional force to the combinedabutment 30 and implant 100 without placing the second fastener 68 underundue stress (e.g., a shearing force) when driving in the implant 100into the implant shaft 18. This connection allows the implant mount 50to be subsequently removed from the placed implant combination 90 (e.g.,after being generally anchored at the dental implant site 12) if thedental implant surgical guide 120 needs to be removed from the placedimplant combination 90. This same rotation or torsion force astransmitted to the implant combination 90 and hence imparted to theabutment-implant connection should increase the adhesion capability ofthe taper interference fit.

As substantially shown in FIG. 8, the assembled implant combination 90can be placed through the guide channel 128 to bring the dental implant100 into contact with prepared implant shaft 18 as substantially denotedby bone, namely mandible, maxilla. A tool 14 (e.g., a wrench)substantially connects with the mount depression 60 to rotate theassembled implant combination 90 (e.g., relative to both the dentalimplant surgical guide 120 and the dental surgical site 12) until thedental implant 100 is properly attached to and situated within thedental surgical site 12. If an implant analogue (not shown) is usedinstead of the implant 100 to form an analogue implant combination (notshown), then tool 14 can be similarly be used to rotate the analogueimplant combination to properly attach and situate said implant analoguerelative to the model dental surgical site (not shown).

As substantially shown in FIG. 9, once the implant combination 90 andalike is suitably placed and secured (e.g., dental surgical site 12,model dental implant site), the cap 72 can be placed over the top 126 ofthe guide cylinder 124 through which the implant combination 90 (oranalogue implant combination—not shown) is generally located. A suitabletool (e.g., wrench—not shown) can engage the cap fixture 84 tosubstantially move (e.g., rotate) the cap 72 relative to the guidecylinder 124 so that the cap locking interface 82 can engage the lockinginterface 132 of the guide cylinder 124 to substantially draw the guidecylinder 124 into the cap 72 (e.g., screwing the cap 72 on to thethreaded guide cylinder 124.) In this manner, the enclosed cap end 76can impinge upon the second mount end 58 to securely press upon the rim62, substantially sandwiching the rim 62 in between the enclosed cap end76 and the guide cylinder top 126. In this manner, the sandwiched rim 62could fully anchor the dental implant surgical guide 120 to the dentalsurgical site 12. This attachment combination may further resist thoseforces, which may attempt to move the dental implant surgical guide 120(e.g., the attached prosthesis) away from or to the one or more implants100 to which the dental implant surgical guide 120 is secured.

The cap attachment could be one of the last steps under taken prior tothe attachment of the prosthesis 140 to the dental implant surgicalguide 120. In that manner, the attachment of caps 72 to the respectiveimplant combinations 90 as place through the guide channels 128 of thedental implant surgical guide 120 could be accomplished using analternating sequence, such as tightening first the caps 72 locatedproximate to the back of the mouth 16 and moving towards those caps 72located proximate to the front of the mouth 16.

As substantially shown in FIG. 11, once the caps 72 have beenappropriately secured to the dental implant surgical guide 120, theprosthesis 140 can be secured to the dental implant surgical guide 120.In the embodiment using an enveloping dental prosthesis (not shown), thebottom half of the prosthesis could be attached to the dental implantsurgical guide prior to the attachment by the system. The bottom halfand dental implant surgical guide as combined could then be attached tothe mouth using the system. Once so secured, the caps could be attachedto the dental implant surgical guide and the top half of the prosthesisplaced over the bottom half to substantially encapsulate the dentalimplant surgical guide within the enveloping dental prosthesis.

As substantially shown in FIG. 12, the process or method 200 of usingthe invention 10 could start with step 202, preparing the dentalsurgical site. In preparing the dental surgical site, the dental implantsurgical guide could be suitably be brought proximate (e.g., attached bysuitable method and means) to the dental surgical site. Dental implants(e.g., implant drills, implant reamers, and the like) could pass intorespective guide channels to be directed to create the implant shaftsthat could receive dental implants. When this step is substantiallycompleted, the process 200 could proceed to step 204, the assembling ofthe implant combination. For the encapsulating prosthesis, the bottomhalf of the prosthesis could be attached to the dental implant surgicalguide.

In step 204, the assembling of the implant combination, the abutment canbe first attached to the implant with the first abutment end beingplaced into the implant recess for a generally conical fit that canresult in a taper interference fit or Morse's taper connection. Thefirst fastener movably located through the abutment can then attach tothe implant aperture at the tip of the conical fit to further hold theabutment and implant together. The implant mount can be connected to theabutment by placing the second abutment end within the abutment cavityof the implant mount so that the flats of the abutment cavity may bealigned with the flats of the second abutment end. The second fastener,movably located in the implant mount, may removably attach to the headof the first fastener to generally hold the implant mount in place uponthe second abutment end and to generally complete the assembly of theimplant combination. Depending on the number of dental implants that areneeded, this step can be repeated several times to complete severalimplant combinations. Once this step is substantially completed, process200 could proceed to step 206, placing the dental implant.

In step 206, placing the dental implant, the implant combination couldbe guided through the guide cylinder top to pass at least a portion ofthe implant combination through a respective guide channel (and throughthe bottom prosthesis half). The tip of the implant could initiallyengage the respective previously prepared implant shaft at the dentalsurgical site. If an implant analogue is used instead of the dentalimplant in the assembly of the implant combination, the implant analoguecould be directed to an implant analogue shaft at a dental surgical sitemodel. A suitable tool could be attached the second mount end (e.g., awrench attached to the mount fixture) and the operator such as a dentalhealth care professional can rotate the entire implant combinationwithin the guide cylinder to drive the implant (e.g., or implantanalogue) into the implant shaft. Once the implant and hence implantcombination is firmly and properly seated within the dental surgicalsite, the step can be repeated for each additional implant combinationthat needs to be attached to the dental surgical site (or the dentalsurgical site model). Generally during this action, the second mount endis substantially brought into closer proximity to the respectivecylinder, namely the rim may make contact with guided cylinder top. Asthis step is substantially completed, the process 200 may proceed tostep 208, making adjustments.

In step 208, making adjustments, this is an optional step wherein theimplant mount may need to be released from a placed implant combinationto allow for removal of the dental implant surgical guide (prosthesisbottom half) from the implant combination. In such a situation, thesecond fastener may be disconnected from the first fastener so that theimplant mount may be removed from the abutment. Depending on the numberof implant combinations being located at that time, their respectiveimplant mounts may need to be removed to allow for the full detachmentof the dental implant surgical guide from the dental surgical site (orthe dental surgical site model).

Once the adjustment, correction, fitting, or the alike has been be made,the dental implant surgical guide could be replaced over the abutmentsand the implant mounts could be suitably reattached to their respectiveabutments. This step can be repeated as needed to make the manyadjustments, corrections, fittings, or the alike as needed. Once thisstep is substantially completed, the process 200 could proceed to step210, fitting the cap.

In step 210, fitting the cap, the cap could be applied to a respectiveguide cylinder. A suitable tool (e.g., wrench) could be applied to mountfixture on the cap's enclosed end. The cap open end could be directed toand engage the top of the respective cylinder (e.g., the cylindersubstantially holding the placed implant combination) so that the caplocking interface (e.g., cap threads) can engage the guide cylinder'slocking interface (guide threads). Once the cap has fully engaged theguide cylinder, the tool can be removed. For multiple cap/guide cylinderapplications, the caps can be applied and tighten in sequenced orderthat substantially eliminates possible warped placement of the dentalimplant surgical guide to the implants and to generally ensured dentalimplant surgical guide achieves the desired telemetry and positionrelative to the implants (and patient's mouth).

It should be noted that if needed the caps could be removed from guidecylinders, the implant mounts from the abutments, to release the dentalimplant surgical guide from the implants (or implant analogues).

As this step is substantially completed, the process 200 could proceedto step 212 attaching the prosthesis. In one version of the prosthesis,the dental implant surgical guide could be attached to the base channel.For the encapsulating or enveloping prosthesis, the prosthesis top halfcould be attached to the combined dental implant surgical guide andprosthesis bottom half to secure and envelope the dental implantsurgical guide within the prosthesis. At the substantial completion ofthis step, the process 200 could proceed back to step 202 as needed.

CONCLUSION

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents ratherthan by the examples given.

As substantially shown in the drawings and generally described in thedescription, the invention could be a system for attachment of a dentalimplant surgical guide to one or more implants that allow the dentalimplant surgical guide to support a prosthesis and secure the prosthesisto the patient's mouth. The system could provide an implant combinationthat can be used to rotate an implant into place in a dental surgicalsite. In doing so the implant combination can bring a rim from theimplant combination into contact with the guide cylinder top of thedental implant surgical guide. A cap attaching to the rim and dentalimplant surgical guide can then lock the dental implant surgical guidein place with one or more implant combinations to appropriately attachthe dental implant surgical guide to the patient's mouth, allowing thedental implant surgical guide to anchor and support a dental prosthesis.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A dental implant system, comprising: (a) a firstdental implant assembly configured to anchor into a bone at a dentalsurgical site; (b) a prosthesis assembly, wherein the prosthesisassembly comprises: (i) a base portion, and (ii) a tooth portionattached to the base portion; and (c) a dental implant surgical guideconfigured to attach to a dental surgical site, wherein the dentalimplant surgical guide comprises: (i) a first guide body defining afirst guide channel dimensioned to receive a portion of the first dentalimplant assembly such that the first dental implant assembly may beanchored in the bone at the dental surgical site while the dentalimplant surgical guide is attached to the dental surgical site, and (ii)a support structure, wherein the first guide body is fixed to thesupport structure, wherein the support structure is configured to attachto the base portion of the prosthesis assembly after the first dentalimplant assembly has been anchored into the bone at the dental surgicalsite.
 22. The dental implant system of claim 21, wherein the dentalimplant surgical guide comprises a second guide body defining a secondguide channel, wherein the second guide body is fixed to the supportstructure.
 23. The dental implant system of claim 22, wherein thesupport structure extends between the first guide body and the secondguide body.
 24. The dental implant system of claim 23, wherein thesupport structure comprises a support bar.
 25. The dental implant systemof claim 24, wherein the support bar comprises a trapezoidalcross-shape.
 26. The dental implant system of claim 21, wherein theportion of the first dental implant assembly comprises a first dentalimplant, wherein the first dental implant comprises a cylindricalimplant body having a tapered and threaded end.
 27. The dental implantsystem of claim 26, wherein the first dental implant comprises a secondend defining a recess.
 28. The dental implant system of claim 27,wherein the first dental implant assembly further comprises an abutmentconfigured to fit within the recess of the first dental implant.
 29. Thedental implant system of claim 28, wherein the abutment is configured tocouple with the first dental implant via a first threaded screw.
 30. Thedental implant system of claim 29, wherein the abutment comprises aplurality of inclined flats.
 31. The dental implant system of claim 30,wherein the first dental implant assembly further comprises an implantmount configured to couple with the abutment.
 32. The dental implantsystem of claim 31, wherein the implant mount is configured to couplewith the abutment via a second threaded screw, wherein the secondthreaded screw is further configured to couple with the first threadedscrew in order to couple the implant mount with the first dentalimplant.
 33. The dental implant system of claim 32, wherein the firstdental implant assembly further comprise a cap configured to rest on topof the implant mount.
 34. The dental implant system of claim 33, whereinthe cap is configured to couple with the first guide body via a pair ofcomplementary threading.
 35. The dental implant system of claim 21,wherein the base portion of the prosthesis assembly defines a channel,wherein the channel is configured to receive the first dental implantassembly to couple the prosthesis assembly to the dental implantsurgical guide.
 36. A dental implant system, comprising: (a) a pluralityof dental implant assemblies configured to anchor into a bone at adental surgical site; (b) a prosthesis assembly, wherein the prosthesisassembly comprises: (i) a base portion, and (ii) a tooth portionattached to the base portion; and (c) a dental implant surgical guideconfigured to attach to a dental surgical site, wherein the dentalimplant surgical guide comprises: (i) a plurality of guide bodies eachdefining a guide channel dimensioned to receive a portion of arespective dental implant assembly of the plurality of dental implantassemblies such that the each dental implant assembly may be guided andanchored in the bone at the dental surgical site while the dentalimplant surgical guide is attached to the dental surgical site, and (ii)a support structure, wherein the plurality of guide bodies are fixed tothe support structure, wherein the support structure is configured toattach to the base portion of the prosthesis assembly after theplurality of dental implant assemblies have been anchored into the boneat the dental surgical site.
 37. The dental implant system of claim 36,wherein the base portion defines a channel configured to receive theplurality of dental implant assemblies to thereby couple the prosthesisassembly with the support structure.
 38. The dental implant system ofclaim 26, wherein the plurality of guide bodies each comprise anexternal threading configured to couple to a portion of the respectivedental implant assembly of the plurality of dental implant assemblies.39. The dental implant system of claim 26, wherein the support structurecomprises a support bar.
 40. A dental implant system, comprising: (a) afirst dental implant assembly configured to anchor into a bone at adental surgical site; (b) a prosthesis assembly, wherein the prosthesisassembly comprises: (i) a base portion, and (ii) a tooth portionattached to the base portion; and (c) a dental implant surgical guideconfigured to attach to a dental surgical site, wherein the dentalimplant surgical guide comprises a first guide body defining a firstguide channel dimensioned to receive a portion of the first dentalimplant assembly such that the first dental implant assembly may beanchored in the bone at the dental surgical site while the dentalimplant surgical guide is attached to the dental surgical site, whereinthe dental implant surgical guide is configured to attach to the baseportion of the prosthesis assembly after the first dental implantassembly has been anchored into the bone at the dental surgical site.